Mpeg 2/4?

[cualcrees]

How important is mpeg 2 or mpeg 4 when choosing a new receiver? (apart from it being able to do HD)

How much of a factor should this be? I think that eventually charlie will do everything in mpeg 4, right? Is that very far into the future or right around the corner?

[boboisno1]

I wouldn't worry about it for any other reason than HD.

[fossil112]

Originally Posted by cualcrees

How important is mpeg 2 or mpeg 4 when choosing a new receiver? (apart from it being able to do HD)
HD is really the only reason to look into MPEG4 at this point.

How much of a factor should this be? I think that eventually charlie will do everything in mpeg 4, right? Is that very far into the future or right around the corner?
No. Charlie going full MPEG4 anytime soon is literally near impossible. That would take so much money and time, it would be ridiculous. Besides that, there's no good reason to change formatting.

See above.

[creativegenius]

Moving forward I think that there will be more and more of a need. If you have a high def. TV and have a HD capable receiver, then it is a sound investment. Other SAT providers will also move to MPEG4 as time moves forward.

Creative Genius

[cualcrees]

Originally Posted by creativegenius

Moving forward I think that there will be more and more of a need. If you have a high def. TV and have a HD capable receiver, then it is a sound investment. Other SAT providers will also move to MPEG4 as time moves forward.

Creative Genius

I do have an HDTV which is currently hooked up to a VS xtreme; I'm looking into buying a new receiver but i don't want to spend big bucks if it's not really necessary as of now or the near future; on the other hand, I'd hate to spend money now on a receiver that's not MPEG4 ready, and then have to spend even more if and when this change happens... such is my dilema.

Also, the whole N3 thingy... I have my eyes on an Nfusion HD, but it's quite expensive.

[fossil112]

the nfusion isn't a bad idea right now. they're the only coders who have a fix for N3 (i say that loosely, in that its not a true fix).
regardless, the nfusion hd is a great receiver, from what i can tell.

[arboristman]

your talking many years still until everything is switched over from mpeg2 to mpeg4.
however dn has now setup an eastern ark for all mpeg4-and yes with standard def channels as well.so the switch as begun.
however there will be a need for the other sats for all current production mpeg2 based receivers for years.
now,as far as looking for an mpeg4 capable unit vrs an mpeg2 only.
IMHO,there is only ONE mpeg2 only HD unit priced accordingly on the market.thats the captain 8000.
at only-or i guess i should say,even "under" 200$ now,you really can't knock that for an mpeg2 only hd unit.
its not pvr though,i suppose the others cost more due to pvr,and captain's are known for being low cost anyway(still very high quality Korean made tho-unlike some other low cost stbs.that's why i really like the captains too).

really depends on your budget and needs.
but mpeg4 based birds are now here.
(search dn 1000.4 eastern ark dish for more)

[fossil112]

Originally Posted by arboristman

IMHO,there is only ONE mpeg2 only HD unit priced accordingly on the market.thats the captain 8000.
at only-or i guess i should say,even "under" 200$ now,you really can't knock that for an mpeg2 only hd unit.
its not pvr though,i suppose the others cost more due to pvr,and captain's are known for being low cost anyway(still very high quality Korean made tho-unlike some other low cost stbs.that's why i really like the captains too).

whoops, i just got confused!
Referring to lyngsat, I was under the impression all HD signals are MPEG4 format. How does an MPEG2 receiver handle HD?
(Lyngsat lists them as MPEG4/HD)

***think i just answered my own question...
channels such as TNT HD and ESPN2 HD(Echo 10) are listed as HD only, not MPEG4/HD. So, there's a difference between MPEG4 and HD formats.***

[arboristman]

there are many true mpeg2 hd feeds-tho mainly on C band.
it appears bev new replacement receiver will be mpeg4 compliant as well.

[fossil112]

Ok, that makes sense with respect to BEV. So, really, having an mpeg2 HD receiver (for HD use) isn't worth purchasing unless you're planning on picking up BEV.

But I'm still confused why some channels are listed as mpeg4/HD or simply HD on DN. (might be just a typo)

[arboristman]

lol correct.-for many,this is true.
however for actual legal purpose of the unit alone,its worth its money.
shoot,it wasn't really all that long ago,that a run of the mill standard def non pvr "viewsat ultra" for example,would set one back around 2 bills.

[fossil112]

*cough cough* I wouldn't know anything about them silly viewsat ultras
yes, i think you're right by saying that DN is planning on making the full switch to mpeg4 eventually. i seriously doubt it'll happen within 3 years...satellites aren't cheap, nor are the rockets they fly on

[cualcrees]

So, to re-cap, it will all be mpeg4 eventually; but not for (maybe) a few years. Until then, a good mpeg2 will do the trick, right?

So, taking N3 into account, maybe a SD nfusion STB would be a good choice? (by the way, what's the difference between solaris, nuvenio, phoenix?)

Thanks for all your answers!

[arboristman]

when looking for standard def only,mpeg4 is of no concern to you,correct.

[creativegenius]

Nfusion has a few models:

The Nova (the original unit) silver in color, now discontinued but still supported.

The Solaris, basically the exact same unit as the Nova, but it has a black case.

The Phoenix, this is the newest SD unit. It offers a better quality tuner than that which is used in the Nova or Solaris models, it has a higher mA output for driving LNB's, and lastly, sports more memory for things like EPG etc ... its a solid unit and a great choice at about $180 - $220 mark (depending upon your geographic location).

The nFusion HD is their HD unit, this unit is quite ballsy and is also fairly pricey if you factor in and add a 8K module to it. It'll come in around $450+ easy. Nice if you have HD TV and have the coin.

Creative Genius

Originally Posted by cualcrees

So, to re-cap, it will all be mpeg4 eventually; but not for (maybe) a few years. Until then, a good mpeg2 will do the trick, right?

So, taking N3 into account, maybe a SD nfusion STB would be a good choice? (by the way, what's the difference between solaris, nuvenio, phoenix?)

Thanks for all your answers!

[cualcrees]

Originally Posted by creativegenius

Nfusion has a few models:

The Nova (the original unit) silver in color, now discontinued but still supported.

The Solaris, basically the exact same unit as the Nova, but it has a black case.

The Phoenix, this is the newest SD unit. It offers a better quality tuner than that which is used in the Nova or Solaris models, it has a higher mA output for driving LNB's, and lastly, sports more memory for things like EPG etc ... its a solid unit and a great choice at about $180 - $220 mark (depending upon your geographic location).

The nFusion HD is their HD unit, this unit is quite ballsy and is also fairly pricey if you factor in and add a 8K module to it. It'll come in around $450+ easy. Nice if you have HD TV and have the coin.

Creative Genius

I'm in Mexico. Here's a link to the page that sell them down here:

hxxp://www.mayortec.com.mx/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=49&zenid=394adbc0f 2e0e1e78d67752622790c5e

I see they have one called "nuvenio SD"; is that the same as the phoenix?

[creativegenius]

Yes, (the Phoenix is the new name they are giving them now) ... the boxes/cartons still maybe marked SD (but yes, that's the Phoenix unit).

Creative Genius

[bill of oz]

Originally Posted by fossil112

So, really, having an mpeg2 HD receiver (for HD use) isn't worth purchasing unless you're planning on picking up BEV.

BEV or true FTA sats.....

there is alot more out there in the sky than just BEV and DN

[fossil112]

Originally Posted by bill of oz

BEV or true FTA sats.....

there is alot more out there in the sky than just BEV and DN

that's definitely true...i suppose we've been stuck on the populist topic of DN/BEV than true FTA testing

[bassist]

I would also say that choosing a mpeg4 receiver may also depend on what part of the sky that you have a clear view off!

On the east coast, DN's new birds are much higher in the sky so there is more flexibility on where your dishes are located.